Latest news with #AlexanderVinnik
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kremlin suggests another US-Russia prisoner swap could be coming: report
The Kremlin is suggesting that another U.S.-Russia prisoner swap could be coming, just days after the release of two Americans who were detained by Russia, a report says. The Kremlin said Thursday that the idea of a possible new prisoner exchange between Russia and the U.S. is on the agenda, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov noting that talks between both sides this week in Saudi Arabia contributed to a general rapprochement, according to Reuters. At least 10 Americans remain held in Russia, the news agency reported. Kalob Byers, a 28-year-old American citizen detained in Russia on drug smuggling charges earlier this month, was freed ahead of Tuesday's talks in Riyadh. Byers' release came as Marc Fogel, a U.S. citizen who was detained on drug charges in Russia four years ago, was released last week in exchange for Russian prisoner Alexander Vinnik, who had been held by the U.S. government on cryptocurrency fraud charges. Us, Russian Officials Propose Peace Plan, Lay 'Groundwork For Cooperation' In Riyadh After his arrival in the U.S., Fogel, from Pennsylvania, met with President Donald Trump at the White House and called him a hero for securing his release. Read On The Fox News App U.S. and Russian officials held diplomatic talks in Saudi Arabia without any Ukrainian officials present on Tuesday. Us Releasing Russian Prisoner Alexander Vinnik In Marc Fogel Exchange, Official Says The groups, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, were seeking terms for a peace agreement in Ukraine as well as negotiating a potential meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce also confirmed that Rubio's team agreed to "lay the groundwork for cooperation" with Russia on various issues in addition to Ukraine. Fox News' Landon Mion, Anders Hagstrom, Jacqui Heinrich and Brie Stimson contributed to this report. Original article source: Kremlin suggests another US-Russia prisoner swap could be coming: report
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Yahoo
US citizen allegedly carrying cannabis detained in Moscow, charged with narcotics smuggling: Russian media
A U.S. citizen who was allegedly carrying cannabis gummies has been detained at an airport in Moscow, Russian media reported. The 28-year-old American was detained at the Vnukovo Airport Feb. 7 after a K-9 with the Russian Federal Customs Service detected something in his luggage, Russia's TASS news agency said. He had arrived in Russia via Istanbul. The U.S. State Department told Fox News Digital it is aware of reports of a citizen being detained and had no further comment. Freed American Hostage Marc Fogel Lands In Us After Years In Russian Captivity "A chemical analysis revealed the presence of narcotic substances from the cannabinoid group," the customs service reported, according to TASS, adding the man claimed his U.S. doctor had prescribed the gummies. Read On The Fox News App He has been charged with smuggling narcotic drugs into the country and could face five up to 10 years in prison, TASS reported. Marc Fogel, a U.S. citizen who was detained on drug charges in Russia four years ago, was released on Tuesday in exchange for Russian prisoner Alexander Vinnik, who had been detained by the U.S. government on cryptocurrency fraud charges. Vogel's plane landed safely in the U.S. Tuesday night. Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, was serving a 14-year prison sentence after his arrest in August 2021 at a Russian airport for being in possession of drugs, which his family and supporters said were medically prescribed marijuana. In 2022, WNBA player Brittney Griner was released from Russia after she spent eight months in detainment for having vape cartridges containing oils derived from cannabis. Mother Of Freed American Hostage Marc Fogel Thanks President Donald Trump: 'He Kept His Promise' She was also detained at a Moscow airport as she returned to the country to play in a basketball league article source: US citizen allegedly carrying cannabis detained in Moscow, charged with narcotics smuggling: Russian media
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Yahoo
Russia arrests US citizen at Moscow airport over alleged cannabis-laced sweets
A 28-year-old U.S. citizen was detained at Moscow's Vnukovo airport after Russian authorities allegedly found food items containing cannabis derivatives in his luggage. The man had arrived from Istanbul on Feb. 7 when a customs inspection led to his arrest, according to Russian state-run news agencies TASS and Interfax. Russia's Federal Customs Service claimed that a service dog alerted officials to one of the man's suitcases, prompting a search. Inside, authorities reportedly discovered two plastic jars and a zip bag containing sweets. A chemical analysis later confirmed that the items contained narcotic substances from the cannabinoid group, TASS reported. The detained traveler reportedly told officials that the gummies and marmalade had been prescribed to him by a doctor in the United States. He claimed he needed the products while traveling, according to TASS. The possession of cannabis, even for medical use, is illegal in Russia. The U.S. State Department has not yet commented on the case. The detention comes amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Russia, including previous high-profile detentions of American citizens. Earlier this week, Russia and the U.S. carried out a prisoner exchange, with Moscow releasing U.S. teacher Marc Fogel in exchange for Alexander Vinnik, a Russian national accused of Bitcoin fraud. Fogel had been sentenced to 14 years in prison for carrying marijuana he claimed was medically prescribed. Read also: 'Totally screwed' — How Trump, Hegseth are damaging Ukraine in talks with Russia We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Fox News
15-02-2025
- Fox News
US citizen allegedly carrying cannabis detained in Moscow, charged with narcotics smuggling: Russian media
A U.S. citizen who was allegedly carrying cannabis gummies has been detained at an airport in Moscow, Russian media reported. The 28-year-old American was detained at the Vnukovo Airport Feb. 7 after a K-9 with the Russian Federal Customs Service detected something in his luggage, Russia's TASS news agency said. He had arrived in Russia via Istanbul. The U.S. State Department told Fox News Digital it is aware of reports of a citizen being detained and had no further comment. "A chemical analysis revealed the presence of narcotic substances from the cannabinoid group," the customs service reported, according to TASS, adding the man claimed his U.S. doctor had prescribed the gummies. He has been charged with smuggling narcotic drugs into the country and could face five up to 10 years in prison, TASS reported. Marc Fogel, a U.S. citizen who was detained on drug charges in Russia four years ago, was released on Tuesday in exchange for Russian prisoner Alexander Vinnik, who had been detained by the U.S. government on cryptocurrency fraud charges. Vogel's plane landed safely in the U.S. Tuesday night. Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, was serving a 14-year prison sentence after his arrest in August 2021 at a Russian airport for being in possession of drugs, which his family and supporters said were medically prescribed marijuana. In 2022, WNBA player Brittney Griner was released from Russia after she spent eight months in detainment for having vape cartridges containing oils derived from cannabis. She was also detained at a Moscow airport as she returned to the country to play in a basketball league there.
Voice of America
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
Russian Vinnik back in Moscow after prisoner swap, news agency says
Alexander Vinnik, a Russian national convicted of cybercrime and released by U.S. authorities as part of a prisoner swap, arrived in Moscow on Thursday and thanked President Vladimir Putin and others for arranging the exchange, state news agency RIA said. Vinnik, who pleaded guilty in May 2024 to charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, told RIA in a dispatch issued after midnight that he was at home with his family. He said he had flown on a U.S. plane that stopped in Poland and not in Turkey as his lawyer had said. Quoted by RIA, Vinnik thanked Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Russian diplomats and special services, his lawyers "and especially my family." He added: "What can I say? And I can also thank [U.S. President Donald] Trump. On the whole, without him, things would probably have been difficult." Leonid Slutsky, head of the foreign affairs committee of Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, told the Tass news agency that Vinnik's return home was "yet another victory for Russian diplomacy and all services and agencies associated with his liberation." Unlike previous instances of Russians returning home after a prisoner swap, there was little fanfare around Vinnik's arrival. Vinnik operated a cryptocurrency exchange, BTC-e, through which he was suspected of funneling $4 billion in proceeds from ransomware attacks, identity theft, drug rings and other criminal activity. He was freed by the United States from prison in return for Moscow's release of American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, who returned home on Tuesday.
